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City Council Meeting

Highlights

  • đź“Š Residents urged council to realign the budget toward core services (public works, police, library) and shared comparisons to similarly sized Oregon cities to show it’s feasible without pitting departments against one another.
  • đź“° Staff explained why the “Mayor’s Corner” column was retired from the city newsletter—statewide guidance discourages long-form elected-official opinion pieces in public communications to keep messaging service-focused and neutral.
  • 🌳 Council reviewed the upcoming Jesse Mays tree/sidewalk project; despite social-media concern, staff emphasized the plan has been vetted at multiple public meetings and damaged trees will be replaced. Council asked staff to boost proactive communications and explore community involvement (tree sponsorships, planting days).
  • 🏦 Adopted Resolution 2300 appointing Councilor James Fage as the emergency signer on the city’s bank account (backfilling the vacancy after the previous councilor’s term).
  • 🧾 Added future agenda items to discuss (1) a parks district feasibility conversation, (2) Zoom public-comment logistics (3 p.m. deadline and AV reliability), and (3) giving staff clear direction on Urban Growth Boundary work during budget season.

Notes

  • Public Comment Snapshot

    • Aaron Nichols compared North Plains’ budget to Mt. Angel and Hubbard, arguing the city could field 6–7 police officers and similar public-works staffing by trimming administrative costs and deprioritizing growth-related spending.
    • Lori Furrow asked to reinstate the Mayor’s newsletter column; the city manager noted most cities discontinued that practice to avoid partisan messaging in official publications.
    • Ron Bunch (retired planner) urged council to tally all UGB-related legal/planning costs before committing further funds; he requested a comprehensive discussion about ordinance 490, the HNA appeal, and future land-use spending.

  • Discussion Items

    • Newsletter/Messaging: Council accepted staff’s rationale for “service-first” newsletters but asked communications staff to highlight more project updates (e.g., tree replacements, park investments).
    • Jesse Mays Trees: Councilors acknowledged community concern and asked staff to package clear visuals, FAQs, and volunteer opportunities so residents feel informed rather than surprised.
    • Future Agenda Items: Council reached consensus to:
      1. Explore what it would take to study a regional parks district (not time-sensitive; likely Q4).
      2. Review the remote public-comment policy/technology at the next meeting so residents aren’t shut out when Zoom links change.
      3. Hold a dedicated conversation about UGB direction, ordinance 490, and housing/economic analyses so staff knows what to budget for.

  • Bank Signer (Resolution 2300)

    • Council needed a new emergency signer for the city’s bank account; Mayor Goodwin declined for now, citing outstanding internal-control questions.
    • Councilor James Fage volunteered and was unanimously approved.

  • City Manager Report

    • Bill Monahan noted the Finance Manager posting will remain open through May (and possibly June) so senior candidates can finish their current budget cycles.
    • Staff continues to field mainly remote-work applicants outside Oregon, so extending the timeline should attract more viable local candidates.

Follow-Ups

  • Staff

    • Craft a Jesse Mays communication kit (web updates, social posts, possible mailer) outlining the phased tree replacement, sidewalk upgrades, and ways residents can participate (sponsorships, volunteer events).
    • Prepare agenda items on (a) Zoom public-comment rules/tech and (b) an overarching UGB direction check-in.
    • Keep the Finance Manager posting live through May and report back on applicant progress.

  • Council

    • Schedule the parks district feasibility discussion later in the year once more immediate items (budget, Zoom policy, UGB direction) are resolved.